Well packer



A ril 11, 1961 F. A. TAYLOR ETAL 2,979,132

WELL PACKER 0riginal"Filed Dec. 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS FQ/Qfi/C/S 4. mfzae max/05M Mala/ms; we.

April 1951 F. A. TAYLOR ETAL 2,979,132

WELL PACKEJR Original Filed Dec. 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TORS FQIQA/C/S 19. 273 402 71901196 14. 77/01/45, we.

United States Patento WELL PACKER Francis A. Taylor, Houston, Tex., and Thomas M.

Thomas, Jr., Downey, Califi, assignors, by mesne assignments, to H. U. Garrett, Longview, Tex.

Continuation oi. application Ser. No. 476,784, Dec. 21, 1954. This application Mar. 23, 1959, Ser. No.

18 Claims. (Cl. 166-138) sure under the packer is such as to tend to unseat the packer and destroy the packing-off action and therefore such force below the packer must be more than balanced by downward force applied through the running-in string. in wells where the pressures to be retained therein below the packer are extremely high, this arrangement is unsatisfactory for several obvious reasons, among them being the limitations to the downward force that can be safely applied in compression through the running-in string, particularly when such running-in string comprises tubing or other relatively light and flexible pipe.

To overcome the foregoing disadvantages and limitations of the conventional packer, attempts have been made to run in and set packers in an inverted or so-called upside-down position within the well whereby the force necessary to set and retain the packer in set position within the well borehole can be applied as tension through the running-in string and under which conditions the fluid pressure thereunder acts upon the packer in a direction and manner such as to assist in the setting and retention of the packer in set condition within the well, instead of acting in opposition to such setting of the packer as hereinbefore mentioned.

However, the placing of such conventional packers in inverted or so-called upside-down positions within well boreholes is often hazardous, particularly as to their possible subsequent removal from the well, unlesssuitable modifications and provisions are made for proper control of the packer during the running into the well, the setting and the release and removal from or resetting thereof in the well.

Accordingly, the packing device of this invention is of '-"such construction that after being lowered into the well bore and" released, the setting of the packer is then accomplished by pulling up on or applying tension through the running-in string, instead of applying downward force or weighttherethrough to the top of the packer as has been a conventional practice heretofore. Consequently, an important feature of the packing device of the present invention is that the tool is'set and maintained in set condition by the application of tension rather than compression. through'the'running-in string.

. Additionally the packer of this invention has inherentnovel structural features which under normal well-conditions permit ready release oftthe packer for movement and resetting at any desired other location Within the well, :orperrnit entire removal of the tool from the well.

7 2,979,132 Patented Apr. 11, 1961 Another important and novel feature of this invention is found in the construction which, if the packer should become stuck in the well after being set therein for a period of time so that it cannot be released and removed in the normal manner, permits the major and most diflicultly drillable portion of the assembly to be detached from the other portion and removed from the well, leaving therein only those stuck portions which may be more easily drilled away or otherwise dislodged from the set position in the well.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved well packer device which can be actuated and set in operative position by an upward pull thereon, instead of an application of weight on top of the tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel tension operated, so-called upside-down packer for holding high pressures below it, such as when pressurizing, water flooding, formation fracturing, and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved packer well tool apparatus which can be retrieved by simply lowering the tubing string to actuate a latching mechanism which will then pick up the tool by which it can easily be removed from the well or borehole.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool as set forth in the preceding object. which, in the event the tool cannot be retrieved in the stated manner, can be released at least in part upon further rotation of the drill string or tubing in a right-hand direction and a further upward pull on the drill string or tubing. v

These and other objects, advantages and features of novelty will be evident hereinafter.

In the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment and such mode of operationof the invention and in which like reference numerals designate the same vor similar parts throughout the several views: 7

Figure 1 is a longitudinal view partly in section of the packer assembly as it appears just prior to being set in a well borehole or casing.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the packer after being vset in a well casing. Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the packer after being manipulated for retrieving certain parts thereof from the well.

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the latch housing unit of the packer assembly.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken along theline 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure l. i v

Referring more particularly to thedrawing, the packer apparatus of this invention comprises a mandrel 10 hav-' ing external threads 11 at its upperend by which a top collar assembly 12is secured thereto, the assembly including a top collar'13 having internal threads 14 for" engagement with threads 11 of the mandrel and internal threads 15 for attachment toland support byia running-in string such as a section of'drill pipe, tubing or the like.

Assembly 12'also includes a latch housing unit 16 having an annular nut retainer 17 which is secured to topcollar' 13 in any suitable manner, such ,asby welding 18; The

latch housing unit also includes ,'a cylindrical{latch housing member ,20 which'is secured at its upper ,end portion to nut retainer lf7 by threads. '19 ,and is formed at its exterior of the mandrel, a: latching nut 22 Not 22 is comprised of a plurality of circular segments, each seginent having a" central, upwardly facing, radial slot 23 formed inthe upper end portion thereof, 'into which extends a downwardly extending'rib'z l formed on the thereto of tubing or the like apparatus.

at t rp heo i e-t J1- lower end portion of the latching nut retainer 17. This rib and slot arrangement permits the nut segments to move radially in and out within the latch housing, but restrains these segments from rotational movement with respect vto the housing. The segmental portions of nut 22 are urged radially inward we split, resilent clamping ring 25 which encircles the segments and is positioned in circumferential grooves 26 formed in each of the outer faces of the nut segments. The inner faces of the :nut segments are formed with internal, upwardly facing, buttress shaped teeth 27 which together form a continuous left-hand thread which matches and is engageable with corresponding downwardly facing buttress threads formed on the upper end portion 28of a slip rein collar 30 which is in turn slidable longitudinally on mandrel 10.

The lower end of mandrel 10 is formed with external left-hand threads 31 for engaging the internal threads 32 of a packing element supporting sleeve 33 which is thereby normally secured and supported at the lower end of the mandrel. Sleeve 33 may, if desired, be provided with internal threads 34 at its lower end for attachment A packing ring nut 35 is suitably secured on sleeve 33 as by threaded connection 35a, or otherwise formed as an annular enlargement of the sleeve 33 and formed with an upwardly facing annular shoulder 36. An annular packing element 37 surrounds packing element supporting sleeve 33 and is supported on shoulder 36 of nut 35. The packing element may comprise a unitary sleeve of rubber or synthetic rubber, or it may comprise an assembly of a plurality of rings 37a of such material which in either case is expansible radially into engagement with the casing upon application thereto oflongitu'dinal pressure.

A tubular slip expander 38 is slidable on mandrel 10 above packing element 37 and has an internal bore 40 in its upper portion making a sliding fit upon the mandrel 10' and an enlarged bore 41 therebelow making a sliding fit over the upper end portion of the packing element supporting sleeve 33 with the lower end portion thereof forming a downwardly facing annular shoulder 42 which normally abuts the upper end of packing element 37. The lower portion of slip expander 38 is formed with a lon itudinally extending slot 43 therethrough and into which a key pin 44 partially extends, the pin being seated in a radial bore 45 extending through the wall of the packing element supporting sleeve 33.

A spring 46 which comprises a rod or wire extends transversely through pin 44 and laterally therefrom into seated position within a curved groove 47 formed in the interior surface of the upper bore portion'of packing element supporting sleeve 33. By -virture of this construction the key pin 44 is urged inwardly by the spring 46 against the outer surface of mandrel 10. Y

' Slip expander 38. isfor'med with an upwardly converging. frusto-conical, external surface portion 48 terminating in an annular shoulder 49 at its upper end.

face'portion thereof by a plurality of flexible slip reins 51 to which they are individually secured by suitable formed with recesses or grooves 53 into which extend the lower ends' of the before-mentioned slip reinsSl. A

plurality of outwardlv extending bow springs. .54 a re pro- ,videdfor making frictional engagement with the inside of a surrounding well, casing and are securedas by means- A plurality of slips 50 surround the slip expander 38 and A are slidablv supported on' the frusto-conical external surof cap screws 55 to the slip rein collar 39. The lower ends of the bow springs 54 bear inwardly upon the lower end portions of the 'slip reins 51in grooves or-recesses ,53. with freedom for, limited longitudinal slidingmove- ,ment therein. ,Agrcollar ,or, jar ring 56surrounds and is suitablysecured on mandrel 10 .as by means of welding In the operation of the invention the packer is run or lowered by the running-in string into the well bore or casing C to the desired position with the parts positioned as shown in Figure 1 during the running-in operation. The packer setting operation is then initiated by righthand rotation of mandrel 10 while simultaneously exerting a relatively light upward pull of the mandrel to bring the latching nut threads 27 upward into engagement with the slip rein collar threads 28. The mandrel is then rotated a sutficient number of turns relative to the collar 30 to screw the threads 28 of the collar 30 from the position shown in Figure 1 downward through and out of engagement with the threads 27 of the latching nut 22 'to a position therebelow approximating that shown in Figure 2. During such rotation of the mandrel and latch housing the rotation of the slip rein collar 30 relative to the casing C is prevented by the frictional engagement of how springs 54 with the wall of the well bore or casing. After threads 27 and 28 have been disengaged in the manner hereinbefore described, a further upward pull or tension applied to the tubing string and mandrel 10 results in movement of the expander 38 upward under slips 50 which will thereby be moved outwardly into casing engaging position. Thereafter, further upward movement of the mandrel will result in application of longitudinal pressure upon the packingelement 37 between the shoulder 36 of nut 35 and the shoulder 42 of slip expander 38, whereby the packing element 37 will be expanded radially into sealing engagement with the inside of casing C, as shown in Figure 2.

After the purposes for which the packer has been set have been accomplished and if it is then desired to retrieve the packer from the Well borehole, release thereof may normally be accomplished in the following manner. The tension of the running-in string is released and mandrel 10 and sleeve 33 are lowered a short distance relative to the collar 30, slip expander 38 and slips 50 without rotation, during which movement, key pin 44 in sleeve 33 will move downward into engagement with the lower end of slot 43 of the slip expander 38, and further downward movement of the mandrel will then normally apply sufiicient downward pressure to the slip expander 38 to cause it to move downward out from under slips 50, thereby normally releasing the slips from casing engagement, and at the same time the packing ring nut 35 will be moved downward relative to the shoulder 42 together with the downward motion of the packing element supporting sleeve 33 and the longitudinal setting pressure on the packer element 37 will thereby be relieved. Following this, the mandrel 10, together with the sleeve 33, packing element 37 and slip expander 38 may be lowered still further until the latch housing unit 16 and housing unit 20 which meanwhile'are supported stationary within'the casing by the bow springs 54 are moved downwardover threaded portion 28 of the slip rein collar 30, whereupon the segments ofthe latching nut 22 will ratchet completely over and beyond the threaded portion 28 and into substantially the latched position shown in Figure 1. In this position the mandrel may be rotated in either direction, if desired, without placing any strain upon threads 27, 28 or any of the packer parts coupled thereto, After the before-described latching engagement has been effected, an upward pull on the tubing string and mandrel will-normally return the parts of the packer substantially to the condition shown in Figure 1, and the packer may then be retrieved as a unit from the well bore or casing.

An important advantage of thisratcheting clutch structure is'that the packer can be set and :released for retrieving by simple rotation in one direction and longifrozen the slips and slip expander in the well bore or casing, the packer may thus become stuck in the well and cannot be retrieved in the normal manner hereinbefore described. When this occurs a partial release so as to free the mandrel and bow springs from the stuck parts of the packer for retrieving from the well may be accomplished as follows: Right-hand rotation is first imparted to the tubing string and mandrel to. break the left-hand threaded joint at threads 31, 32 which disconnects the mandrel 19 from the packing element supporting sleeve 33, and thereby frees the mandrel 10 to be raised to the position shown in Figure 3. Upon thusraising the mandrel, jar ring collar 56 engages the lower end of the slip rein collar 30 as shown in Figure 3 and applies upward fore to the slip rein collar 36- and the connected slips, and upon further elevational movement of the mandrel the slips 50 may be dislodged and moved upwardly and released from the slip expander 38. In the event the slips cannot be released in this manner, the frangible connections 52 will then fracture and the slip reins 51 and bow springs 54 will be raised with the slip rein collar 30, leaving the slips St), slip cone 38, packing element supporting sleeve 33 and packing element 37 in set position in the Well casing. The metallic parts thus left in place in the well are usually made of cast iron or other suitable relatively soft material and may be readily drilled out.

Upon elevation of the mandrel and after the lower end thereof passes the inner end of key pin 44 as shown in Figure 3, this key pin will be moved or thrown in wardly as shown in Figure 3, due to the action of spring 46, and thereby permit the packing element supporting sleeve 33 and possibly the packing element 37, if it is sulficiently free, to drop to the bottom of the well.

If for some reason these parts do not drop freely as they should after the key pin 44 has moved inwardly as described, they may be jarred loose by bumping downward on the top shoulder 49 of expander 38 with suitable tools and thus move the expander down and away from under the slips.

While the invention has been herein illustrated and described in what is now considered to be a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details thereof, but covers all changes, modifications, and adaptations within the scope of the appended claims.

This is a continuation of application Serial No. 476,784 filed by us December 21, 1954, now abandoned.

We claim:

1. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a running-in string for moving and setting said packer within a well casing; a collar slidably mounted on said mandrel; latch means for releasably connecting said collar to said mandrel at a predetermined location, against longitudinal sliding movement thereon, said latch means being actuatable to disconnect said collar from said mandrel upon applying simultaneous upward force on and rotation to the mandrel in one direction relative to said collar to permit upward movement of said mandrel relative to said collar, said latch means also being actuatable to reconnect said collar to said mandrel at said predetermined location upon applying downward longitudinal said mandrel and detachable from said mandrel upon r tation of said mandrel relative to said supporting sleeve in said one direction, to permit upward withdrawal of said mandrel, free of said supporting sleeveand said slip expander; and releasable connection means interconnect ing said supporting sleeve and slip .e'xpander'comprising longitudinal slots formed in said slip expander and key pins extending 'fromsaid supporting sleeve and resiliently held in slidable position in said slots, said pins and slots normally preventing rotational movement and permitting only limited longitudinal movement between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander while said mandrel is connected to said supporting sleeve the means for resiliently holding said pins being effective on disconnection of said mandrel from said supporting sleeve to withdraw said pins from said slot to permit rotation and unlimited longitudinal sliding movement .between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander.

2. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a running-in string for moving and setting said packer within a well casing; a collar slidably mounted on said mandrel; latch means for releasably connecting said collar to said mandrel at a predetermined location, against longitudinal sliding movement thereon, said latch means being actuatable to disconnect said collar from said mandrel upon applying simultaneous upward force on and rotation to the mandrel in onedirection relative to said collar to permit upward movement of said mandrelrelative to said collar, said latch means also being actuatable to reconnect said collar to said mandrel at said predetermined location upon applying downward longitudinal movement of said mandrel with respect to said collar; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with a surrounding casing; a slip expander slidable on said mandrel; a plurality of slips on said slip expander movable thereon into casing engaging and disengaging positions; coupling means connecting said slips to said collar for longitudinal movement thereby relative to said mandrel and said slip expander, said coupling means including frangible means to release said coupling means upon application of force in excess of a predetermined force therethrough between said collar and said slipstending to move said slips to said casing disengaging position; a packing element supporting sleeve connected to said mandrel and detachable from said mandrel upon rotation of said mandrel relative to said supporting sleeve in said one direction, to permit upward withdrawal of said mandrel free of said supporting sleeve, said slip expander and said packing element supporting sleeve; and connection means between said supporting sleeve and slip expander normally preventing rotational movement and permitting only limited longitudinal movement, between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander while said mandrel is connected to said supporting sleeve and operative by disconnection of said mandrel from said supporting sleeve to permit rotation and unlimited longitudinal sliding movement between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander.

' 3. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a running-in string for moving and setting said packer within a well casing; a collar slidably mounted on said 7 mandrel; latch-means for releasably connecting said collar to said mandrel at a predetermined location, against longitudinal sliding movement thereon, said latch means being actuatable to disconnect said collar from said mandrel upon applying simultaneous upward force on and rotation to the mandrel in one direction relative to said collar to permit upward movement ofsaid mandrel relative to said collar, said latchr'neans also being actuatable to reconnect said collar to said mandrel at said predetermined location upon applying downward longitudinal'movementof said mandrel with respect to said collar; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with a surrounding casing; a slip expander-slidable on said mandrel; a plurality of slips. on said slip expander movable thereon into casing engaging and disengaging positions; coupling meansconnecting said slips to saidcollar for longitudinal movement thereby relative to said mandrel-and said slip expander, said.

coupling means including frangible means to release said coupling meansupon application-0f force inexcess of a 'ing sleeve said connected to said mandrel and detachable from said mandrel upon rotation of said mandrel relative to said supporting sleeve in said-one direction, to permit upward withdrawal of said mandrel free of said supporting sleeve,

said slip expander and said packing element supporting sleeve; connection means between said supporting sleeve and slip expander normally preventing rotational movement and permitting only limited longitudinal movement, between said Supporting sleeve and said slip expander while said mandrel is connected to said supporting sleeve and operative by disconnection of saidmandrel from said supporting sleeve to permit rotation and unlimited longitudinal sliding movement between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander; a laterally extending annular shoulder carried adjacent one end of said supporting sleeve; a laterally extending annular shoulder carried adjacent one end of said slip expander, said shoulders being thereby positioned opposite one another; and an annular expansible packing element encircling said supporting sleeve, intermediate said shoulders.

4. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a running-in string for moving and setting said packer within a well casing; a collar slidably mounted on said mandrel; latch means for releasably connecting said collar to said mandrel at a predetermined location, against longitudinal sliding movement thereon, said latch means being actuatable to disconnect said collar from said mandrel upon applying simultaneous upward force on and rotation to the mandrel in one direction relative to said collar to permit upward movement of said mandrel relative to said collar, said latch means also being actuatable to reconnect said collar to said mandrel at said predetermined location upon applying downward longitudinal movement of said mandrel with respect to said collar; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with a surrounding casing; a slip expander slidable on said mandrel; a plurality of slips on said slip expander and coupled to said collar for longitudinal movement therebyrelative to said mandrel and said slip expanderya packing element supporting sleeve connected to said mandrel and detachable from said mandrel upon rotation of said mandrel relative to said supporting sleeve in said one direction, to permit upward withdrawal of said-mandrel, free of said supporting sleeve, said slip expander and said packing element; connection means between said supporting sleeve and slip expander normally preventing rotational movement and permitting only limited longitudinal movement between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander while said mandrel is connected to said supporting sleeve and operative by disconnection of saidmandrel from said supporting sleeve to permitrotation and unlimited longitudinal sliding movement betweenjsaid supporting sleeve and said slip expander, said connection means including a longitudinal slot in said slip expander, a bore extending laterally through the wall of said supporting sleeve and nor mally obstructed at its inner 'endby said mandrel when said mandrel is connected to said supporting sleeve, and a key pin slidable'in said-bore and normally extending into said slot; and spring means urging saidpin to' slide in said bore toward said mandrel whereby when said mandrel is disconnected and removed from said supportkey pin is freed to slide inward .out of said slot; 7 V r, V

5. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a iunning-instringtor moving and setting said packer within a well casing; a collar slidably mounted on said mandrel; latch means for, releasably connecting said collar to said mandrel at a predetermined location, against longitudinal sliding movement thereon, said latch means being actuatable to disconnects-said collar from said fupon applying simultaneousupward force on and rotation to the mandrel in one direction relative to said collar to permit upward movement of said mandrel relative to said collar, said latch means also being actuatable to reconnect said collar to said mandrel at said predetermined location upon applying downward longitudinal movement of said mandrel with respect to said collar; means connected to said collar for making frictional en gagement with a surrounding casing; a slip expander slidable on said mandrel; a plurality of slips on said slip expander movable thereon into casing engaging and disto said collar for longitudinal movement thereby relative to said mandrel and said slip expander, said coupling means including frangible means to release said coupling means upon application of force in excess of a predetermined force therethrough between said collar and said slips tending to move said slips to said casing disengaging position; a packing element supporting sleeve connected to said mandrel and detachable from said mandrel upon rotation of said mandrel relative to said supporting sleeve in said one direction, to permit upward withdrawal of said mandrel free of said supporting sleeve, said slip expander and said packing element; connection means between said supporting sleeve and slip expander normally preventing rotational movement and permitting only limited longitudinalmovement, between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander while said mandrel is connected to said supporting sleeve, and operative by disconnection of said mandrel from said supporting sleeve to permit rotation and unlimited longitudinal sliding movement between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander, said connection means including a longitudinal slot in said slip expander; a bore extending laterally through the wall of said supporting sleeve and normally obstructed at its inner end by said mandrel when said mandrel is connected to said supporting sleeve; and a key pin slidable in said bore and normally extending into 'said slot; and self-actuating means urging said pin to slide in said bore toward said mandrel whereby when said mandrel is disconnected and removed from said supporting sleeve said key pin is freed to slide inward buttress threads for releasably connecting said collar tosaid mandrel at a predetermined location, against longitudinal sliding movement thereomsaid latch element being releasable upon applying simultaneous upward force on and rotation to the mandrel relative to said collar to 'disengagers'a id threads .to permit upward movement of said mandrel relative to the said collar; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with a surrounding casing; a slipexpander slidable on said man- ,rel; a plurality of slips on said slip expander movable thereon into casing-engaging and disengaging posit-ions:

coupling means connecting said slips to said collar for longitudinalfmovement thereby relative to said mandrel and said slip expander; a packing element supporting sleeve connected to said mandrel; and connection means connecting said packing element supporting sleeve with said slip expander and normally preventing rotational movement and permitting only limited longitudinal slid-- ing movement between said supporting sleeve and said "slip'expander, whereby after said packer has been set 'withiua well. casing downward longitudinal movement ofsaid mandrel will effect limited downward movement of said supporting sleeve relative to said slip expander of said ratchet latch element with said buttress threads of said collar. o

7. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a running-in string for moving and setting said packer within 'a well casing; a latch housingon said mandrel having a downwardly directed opening; a collar slidable on said mandrel and having external downwardly facing buttress threads thereon movable therewith through said opening into said housing; a ratchet latch element in said housing having upwardly facing buttress threads engageable with said downwardly facing buttress threads upon movement thereof into said housing for releasably connecting saidcollar to said mandrel at a predetermined location, against longitudinal sliding movement thereon, said buttress threads of said latch element being releasable from said threads of said collar upon applying simultaneous upward force on and rotation to the mandrel relative to said collar, to permit upward movement of said mandrel relative to the said collar; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with a surrounding casing; a slip expander slidable on said mandrel; a plurality of slips on said slip expander movable thereon into casing-engaging and disengaging positions; coupling means connecting said slips to said collar for longitudinal movement thereby relative to said mandrel and said slip expander; a packing element supporting sleeve connected to said mandrel; and connection means between said supporting sleeve and slip exander normally preventing rotational movement and permitting only limited longitudinal movement between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander, whereby after said packer has been set within a well casing downward longitudinal movement of said mandrel will efiect limited downward movement of said supporting sleeve relative to said slip expander after which said connection means will tend to move said slip expander downwardly relative to said slips and thereby permit engagement of said buttress threads of said ratchet element with said buttress threads of said collar.

8. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a running-in string for moving and setting said packer within a well casing; a latch housing on said mandrel having a downwardly directed opening; a collar slidable on said mandrel and having external downwardly facing buttress threads thereon movable therewith through said opening into said housing; a ratchet latch element in said housing having upwardly facing buttress threads engageable with said downwardly facing buttress threads upon movement thereof into said housing for releasably connecting said collar to said mandrel at a predetermined location, against longitudinal sliding movement thereon, said buttress threads of saidlatch element being releasable from said threads of said collar upon app-lying simultaneous upward force on and rotation to the mandrel relative to said collar, to permit upward movement of said mandrel relative to the said collar; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with a' surrounding casing; a slip expander slidable on said mandrel; a plurality of slips on said slip expander moyable thereon into casing-engaging and disengaging position; coupling means connecting said slips to said collar for longitudinal movement thereby relative to said mandrel and said slip expander; a packing element supporting sleeve detachably connected to said mandrel; and detachable connection means between said supporting sleeve and slip expander normally preventing rotational movement and permitting only limited longitudinal movement between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander, said detachable connection means comprising a longitudinal slot in said slip expander; a lateral bore in said supporting sleeve, and normally obstructed at its inner end by said mandrel when said mandrel is connected to said supporting sleeve; a key -pin slidable'in said bore and normally extending into said slot; and means urging said pin to slidein said bore "toward said supporting sleeve, whereby afterusa idpacker has been set within a well casing downward longitudinal movement of said mandrel will effect limited downward movement of said mandrel relative to said slip expander after which said connection means will tend to move said slip expander downwardly relative to said slips and thereby permit engagement of said buttress threads of said ratchet element with said buttress threads of said collar.

9. A well packer according to claim 8 in which there is a laterally extending annular shoulder carried on the mandrel thereof adjacent one end of said supporting sleeve; a laterally extending annular shoulder adjacent one end of said slip expander, said shoulders being time by positioned opposite one another; and an expansible packing element on saidsupporting sleeve, intermediate said shoulders.

10. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a running-in string for moving and setting said packer within a well casing; a collar slidably mounted on said mandrel; latching means for releasably connecting said collar to said mandrel at a predetemined location against longitudinal sliding movement thereon, said latching means being actuatable to disconnect said collar from said mandrel upon applying simultaneous upward force on' and rotation to the mandrel in one direction relative to said collar to permit upward movement of said mandrel relative to said collar, said latching means also being actuatable to reconnect said collar to said mandrel at said predetermined location upon applying downward longitudinal movement of said mandrel with respect to said collar; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with a surrounding casing; a slip expander slidable on said mandrel; a plurality of slips on said slip expander movable thereon into casing engaging and disengaging positions; coupling means connecting said slips to said collar for concurrent longitudinal movement therewith relative to said mandrel and said slip expander, said coupling means including frangible means which undergo fracture so as to release said coupling means upon application of upward force in excess of a predetermined force therethrough between said collar and said slips tending to move said slips to said casing disengaging position; a packing element supporting sleeve connected to said mandrel and detachable from said mandrel upon rotation of said mandrel relative to said supporting sleeve in said one direction, to permit upward withdrawal of said mandrel free of said supporting sleeve and said slip expander; connection means interposed between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander normally permitting limited longitudinal movement therebetween but restraining relative rotation therebetween; and means rendering said connection means inoperative upon disconnection of said mandrel from said supporting sleeve so as to permit rotation and unlimitedsliding movement, between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander. v

11. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a running-in string for moving and setting said packer within .a well casing; a collar slidably mounted on said mandrel; latching means for releasably connecting said collar to said mandrel at a predetermined location against longitudinal sliding movement thereon, said latching means being actuatable to disconnect said collar from said mandrel upon applying simultaneous upward force Toni and rotation to the mandrel in one dircc ion relative to said collar, saidlatching means also being actuatable jot-econ nect said collar to said mandrelatpsaid predetermined location upon applying ldownwa'rd longitudinal movement of said mandrel with respect to said collar; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with a surrounding casing; a slip expanderslidable on said mar:- drel; a plurality of slips' on said slipexpaarder movable thereon into casing engaging and disengaging ,positront; coupling means connectingsaid slips tosaid collar for,

concurrent longitudinal ,movement therewith relative to said mandrel andsaid expandensaid coupiing meansincluding irangible means which undergo fracture sojas to release said coupling upon application of upward force in excess of a predetermined force therethrough between said collar and said slips tending to move said slips to said casing disengaging position; a packing element supporting sleeve connected to said mandrel and detachable from said mandrel upon rotation of said mandrel relative to said supporting sleeve in said one direction, to permit upward withdrawal of said mandrel free of said supporting sleeve and said slip expander; connection means interposed between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander normally permitting limited longitudinal movement therebetween but restraining relative rotation therebetween; means rendering said connection means inoperative upon disconnection of said mandrel from said supporting sleeve so as to permit rotation and unlimited sliding movement between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander; a laterally extending annular shoulder formed adjacent one end of said supporting sleeve; a lateral-1y extending annular shoulder formed adjacent one end of said slip expander, said shoulders being positioned opposite one another; and an annular expandable packing element encircling said supporting sleeve intermediate said shoulders.

12. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to arunning-in string for moving and setting said packer within a well casing; a collar slidably mounted on said mandrel; latching means for releasably connecting said collar to said mandrel at a predetermined location against longitudinal sliding movement thereon, said latching means being actuatable to disconnect said collar from said mandrel upon applying simultaneous upward force on and rotation to the mandrel in one direction relative to said collar to permit upward movement of said mandrel relative to said collar, said latching means also being actuatable to reconnect said collar to said mandrel at said predetermined location upon applying downward longitudinal movement of said mandrel with respect to said collar; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with a surrounding casing; a slip expander slidable on said mandrel; a plurality of slips on said slip expander movable thereon into casing-engaging and disengaging positions; coupling means connecting said slips to said collar for concurrent longitudinal movement therewith relative to said mandrel and said slip expander, said coupling means including frangible means which undergo fracture so as to release said coupling means upon application of upward force in excess of a predetermined force therethrough between said collar and said slips tending to move said slips to said casing-disengaging position; a packing element supporting sleeve connectedto said mandrel and detachable from said mandrel upon rotation of said mandrel relative to said supporting sleeve in said one direction, to permit upward withdrawal of said mandrel free of said supporting sleeve and said slip expander; an abutment element formed on said mandrel at a point normally spaced below said collar, said abutment element'being movable upwardly to engage said collar when said mandrel is detached from said packing element supporting sleeve and undergoes said upward withdrawal so as to' thereby transmit an upward force upon said slips through said coupling means; connection'means interposed between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander normally permitting limited longitudinal movement therebetween but restraining relative rotation therebetween; and means rendering said connection means iuoperative'upon disconnection of said mandrel from said supporting sleeve so as to permit rotationand unlimited sliding-movement between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander.

13. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a running-in string for moving and setting said packer within a well casing; a collar slidably mounted on said mandrel; latching means for releasably connecting said collarto said mandrel at apredetermined location against longitudinal sliding movement thereon, sa d latching and rotation to the mandrel in one direction relative to said collar to permit upward movement of said mandrel relative to said collar, said latching means also being actuatable to reconnect said collar to said mandrel at said predetermined location upon applying downward longitudinal movement of said mandrel with respect to said collar; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with a surrounding casing; a slip expander slidable on said mandrel; a plurality of slips on said slip expandermovable thereon into casing-engaging and disengaging positions; coupling means connecting said slips to said collar for concurrent longitudinal movement therewith relative -to said mandrel and said slip expander, said coupling means including frangible means which undergo fracture so as to release said coupling upon application of upward force in excess of a predetermined force therethrough between said collar and said slips tending to move said slips to said casing disengaging position; a packing element supporting sleeve connected to said mandrel and detachable from said'mandrel upon rotation of said mandrel relative to said supporting sleeve in said one direction, to permit upward withdrawal of said mandrel free of said supporting sleeve and said slip expander; an abutment element formed on said mandrel at a point normally spaced below said collar, said abutment element being movable upwardly to engage said collar when said mandrel is detached from said packing element supporting sleeve and undergoes said upward withdrawal so as to thereby transmit an upward force upon said slips through said coupling means; connection means interposed between said supporting sleeve and said slipexpander normally permitting limited longitudinal movement therebetween but restraining relative rotation therebetween; means rendering said connection means inoperative upon disconnection of said mandrel from said supporting sleeve so as to permit rotation and unlimited sliding movement between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander; a laterally extending annular shoulder formed adjacent one end of said supporting sleeve; a laterally extending annular shoulder formed adjacent one end of said slip expander, said shoulders being positioned opposite one another; and an annular expandable packing element encircling said supporting sleeve intermediate said shoulders.

14. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a running-in string for moving and setting said packer within a well casing; a collar longtudinally slidably mounted on said mandrel; latching means fixed to said mandrel and selectively operable to lock said collar against longitudinal sliding movement relative to said mandrel; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with said casing to thereby frictionally restrain longitudinal movement of said collar relative to said casing; a slip expander longitudinally slidably carried by said mandrel and formed with a horizontal shoulder; a plurality of slips on said slip expander movable thereon into casing engaging and disengaging positions; coupling means connecting said slips to said collar for concurrent longitudinalmovernent therewith relative to said mandrel; a

means being actuatable to disconnect said collar from said a "mandrel upon applying simultaneous 'upward f rce o packing element supporting sleeve forming a downward continuationof said mandrel and formed with a radial extension that is opposite said horizontal shoulder; a resilient annular packing element encircling said packing element supporting sleeve between said shoulder and said radial extension; and connection means interposed between said supportingsleeve and slip expander-permitting limited longitudinal movement therebetween', with upward movement ofsaid stringiwith said collar unlocked relative to said mandrel firsteffecting upward movement ofsaid slip expander to move said'slips into casing engagement position whereatter said packingelement is compressed between said shoulder and radial extension into sealing engagement with said casing, and ,withsubsequent lowering of said string moving said 'radial extension away 1 from said shoulder permitting saidtpacking elementto'retract into its original diameter whereafter said slip expander may move downwardly to permit said slips to move into a casing disengaging position.

15. A well packer as set forth in claim 14 wherein said packing element sleeve is selectively detachably from said mandrel and said connection means is then rendered inoperative whereby said mandrel may be withdrawn upwardly free of said sleeve and said slip expander, with said coupling means including frangible means that undergo fracture upon application of upward force in excess of a predetermined force therethrough between said collar and said slips tending to move said slips into said casing disengaging position.

16. A well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a running-in string for moving and setting said packer within a Well casing; a collar longitudinally slidably mounted on said mandrel; latching means fixed to said mandrel and selectively operable to lock said collar against longitudinal sliding movement relative to said mandrel; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with said casing to thereby frictionally restrain longitudinal movement of said collar relative to said casing; a slip expander longitudinally slidably carried by said mandrel and formed with a radially extending, annular shoulder; a plurality of slips on said slip expander movable thereon into casing engaging and disengaging positions; coupling means connecting said slips to said collar for concurrent longitudinal movement therewith relative to said mandrel; a packing element supporting sleeve forming a downward continuation of said mandrel and formed with a radial extension that is opposite said annular shoulder; a resilient annular packing element encircling said packing element supporting sleeve between said shoulder and said radial extension; and connection means interposed between said supporting sleeve and slip expander permitting limited longitudinal reciprocative movement therebetween, with upward movement of said string with said collar unlocked relative to said mandrel first effecting upward movement of said slip expander to move said slips into casing engagement position whereafter said packing element is compressed between said shoulder and said radial extension into sealing engagement with said casing, and with subsequent lowering of said string and said supporting sleeve relative to said slip expander moving said radial extension away from said shoulder permitting said packing element to retract into its original diameter whereafter said slip expander may move downwardly to permit said slips to move into a casing disengaging position.

17. A well packer as set forth in claim 16 wherein said packing element sleeve is selectively detachable from said mandrel and said connection means is then rendered inoperative whereby said mandrel may be withdrawn upwardly free of said sleeve and said slip expander, with said coupling means including frangible means that undergo fracture upon application of upward force in excess of a predetermined force therethrough between said collar and said slips tending to move said slips into said casing disengaging position.

18. A Well packer comprising: a mandrel connectible to a running-in string for moving and setting said packer within a well casing; a collar slidably mounted on said mandrel; latching means for releasably connecting said collar to said mandrel at a predetermined location against longitudinal sliding movement thereon, said latching means being actuatable to disconnect said collar from said mandrel upon applying simultaneous up Ward force on and rotation to the mandrel in one direction relative to said collar to permit upward movement of said mandrel relative to said collar, said latching means also being actuatable to reconnect said collar to said mandrel at said predetermined location upon applying downward longitudinal movement of said mandrel with respect to said collar; means connected to said collar for making frictional engagement with a surrounding casing; a slip expander slidable on said mandrel; a plurality of slips on said slip expander movable thereon into casing engaging and disengaging positions; coupling means connecting said slips to said collar for concurrent longitudinal movement therewith relative to said mandrel and said slip expander; a packing element supporting sleeve connected to said mandrel and detachable from said mandrel upon rotation ofsaid mandrel relative to said supporting sleeve in said one direction, to permit upward withdrawal of said mandrel free of said supporting sleeve and said slip expander; connection means interposed between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander normally permitting limited longitudinal reciprocative movement therebetween but restraining relative rotation therebetween; and means rendering said connection means inoperative upon disconnection of said mandrel from said supporting sleeve so as to permit rotation and unlimited sliding movement between said supporting sleeve and said slip expander.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,992,933 Baker et al. Mar. 5, 1935 2,600,468 Breaux June 17, 1952 2,694,451 Carothers et al. Nov. 16, 1954 2,695,672 Lane Nov. 30, 1954 2,755,864 Vaughn July 24, 1956 

